New Lehigh Bridge Key To Expressway Network Of Roads Planned

A new $8.2-million bridge that would cross the Lehigh River south of Route 22 is viewed as the keystone for an Allentown spur route connecting Route 22 with center city.

And according to engineering consultants to the city, it could lead to a network of new feeder roads to make it easier for motorists to travel in all directions within Allentown.

If all of the projects envisioned by the consultants materialize, the price would be $16.2 million in terms of 1985 construction dollars.

That would include the cost of the Lehigh River bridge and its approaches, the extension of American Parkway Northeast to Airport Road and the construction of three feeder roads.

The three feeder roads - being revealed for the first time - would connect Hanover, Sumner and Club avenues to American Parkway Northeast.

Neal E. Kern, city manager of engineering, said the entire program depends on the city's getting federal or state aid.

"I am optimistic we will get the money," he said. "Our chances are better than average because of the history of the Allentown Spur Route and promises by the federal and state governments that were never fulfilled."

"If we don't get federal money, we would look to get 100 percent from the state," he said.

Getting the financial assistance would counter allegations by property owners in the area of Front and Bridge streets whose properties are scheduled for acquisition. They have charged that American Parkway Northeast would end at Front Street and be "a road to nowhere."

The initial phases of the parkway call for building it roughly parallel to the Jordan Creek from Hamilton to Front Street. The section between Hamilton and Gordon Street already is constructed. The remaining section is scheduled to be built this and next year.

As for the proposed bridge, Kern said, "In 1985 our thrust will be requesting grant money from the federal and state governments. In 1986, we would undertake a detailed study of future traffic projections and the feasibility of the projects."

The city entered a $140,000 contract last April with McTish, Kunkel & Associates, Lower Macungie Township engineering consultants, to design the parkway between Gordon and Front streets and future extensions of the road. GAI Consultants, Pittsburgh, was engaged under the same contract as structural consultants to study the feasibility of the bridge.

The bridge would link Front Street on the west side of the river with Dauphin Street on the east side. It would extend 2,713 feet across the river, in a general northeast-southwest direction, about halfway between Route 22 and Union Boulevard.

The western approach would curve northward near an existing railroad bridge before the bridge crosses the river. The upward swing is to avoid taking a large segment of Lehigh Structural Steel property. However, about 6 acres of the company's store yard area would be acquired.

If the decision is to proceed with a steel "V"-type span, the cost is estimated at $8.2 million. If it is to be of prestressed concrete "V"-type frames, the cost is placed at $8 million.

Depending on the outcome of the city's application for aid, the bridge is tentatively listed for construction in 1990.

The following year, the next phase would be undertaken - extending the parkway 1.1 miles from Dauphin Street to Airport Road at an estimated cost of $4 million. Kern said the city may include that project in the application for federal and state aid.

The favored route for the East Side extension would be along Lloyd Street and abandoned Lehigh & New England Railroad property to an at-grade crossing at Irving Street and connecting to Airport Road. Kern said if AT&T Technologies desires, it could construct an access road to its parking area from Lloyd Street.

The final phase of American Parkway Northeast could be a $2-million extension from Airport Road to Club Avenue, following existing Lehigh & New England Railroad right of way. The consultants said that section could have connections with Plymouth, Quebec and Sherman streets and, if the railroad is abandoned, could be extended to Union Boulevard in Bethlehem.

The milelong Airport Road-Club Avenue extension is listed for 1998. The $2-million cost could be reduced by $500,000 if the city does the work with its own forces.

Before that extension gets under way, the consultants suggest that the connections from Hanover and Sumner avenues to the parkway might already be made.

Tentatively identified as "New England Avenue," the Hanover Avenue connection would be built in1994 at a cost of $1.5 million. It would extend from a point just east of the old Lehigh & New England station (formerly D. & C. Spinosa property) for a distance of .86 of a mile to a junction with the parkway near Lloyd Street. It would pass under the Tilghman Street Bridge over the Lehigh River en route.

The consultants also foresee the possibility of a spur from New England Avenue to Carey Street and then on to Union Boulevard across from AT&T.